Miss Long was known to her Melwood family and friends as "Gertie." Gertrude became part of the Melwood family on October 6, 1987. She resided at Melwood's Berrybrook home in Upper Marlboro, MD. In October 2007, she moved to Melwood's Burning Oak home in Waldorf, MD until her passing. Gertrude joined Melwood Vocational Services on November 18, 1987 where she participated in paid work environments assembling magic frames and bundling UniFirst hangers.

In 1998, Gertrude joined the Personal Enrichment Program at Melwood as a means of retirement. She was encouraged to strengthen her skills in socialization, communication, safety, self-awareness, household, community integration, and horticultural therapy. She was also a member of Calvary Baptist Church.

Gertrude enjoyed listening to talk radio and was a member of the WPFW Blues Society. She enjoyed reading and selecting her own books from the library. You could always find her with paper and pencil writing her numbers. Some often thought she was picking the lottery numbers for a big win. Gertie loved her tea and would always say, "Get two black teas, one for me and one for you" to her devoted staff in her home. She was always a kind and darling person who moved at her own pace and would not hesitate to say "wait a minute."

Sister of the late Wayne and Fred Long.

Gertie leaves behind her devoted staff at Burning Oak: Sonya Barkley, Sherrie Adams, Jeanette Davis, Jeanell Clark, Veronica Brown, Kathleen Spruill, Barbara Faulkner, and Naleen Walker. She also leaves behind her PEP staff support and a host of friends.

Visitation: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 from 10-11 AM at Raymond Funeral Chapel, La Plata, MD.

Funeral Service, Tuesday, April 7 at 11 AM at Raymond Funeral Chapel.

Clergy: Reverend Kim Turner.

Interment: Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Trinity Memorial Gardens, Waldorf, MD.

Memorial contributions: The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation (PO Box 650309, Dallas, TX 75265-0309).

Arrangements provided by Raymond Funeral Service.